Unless you are familiar with a more traditional aspect of Islam, this mosque is not for you. The men are segregated from the women out of respect for the women and if you can not see eye to eye or understand that etiquette, I wouldn't recommend coming here. Personally, I have no objection to that standard so I love coming here. The attendants are predominantly South Asian with an age range of mid 30s-seniors (you can assume what kind of temperament will be amongst the people) hence the talks being in Urdu. There are two jummuah prayers on Friday to accommodate the large crowd that gathers. The first khutbah is in Urdu and is conducted by ICF's resident mufti, Mufti Mudassir. His talks are not only informative and beneficial, they are at times heart wrenching as well. The second khutbah is given in English by Sh. Tameem. Comparatively, his talks are geared more towards the youth and are refreshing and relatable.
I also like how there are two-three VERY friendly security guards on Jumuahs and during Ramadan(bless them) outside the gates directing people where to park and regulating the traffic flow for some of us that forget to move along and let others come in (I see you uncles and aunties!)
On most occasions, there is a phone line that you can dial into to listen in on Mufti Mudassir's talks if you are unable to physically attend the masjid. The talks are sometimes also posted online at www.bayaans.org
There are a number of programs that are ran here:
- Boys' Hifdh: This gem of a mosque churns out quality huffadh on the regs. All those beautiful recitations you hear in the month of Ramadan during taraweeh in a bay area mosque-yeah, that huffadh most likely completed his hifdh at ICF.
- Daily Maktab: The maktab is for boys and girls aged 5-late teens (?) The boys are taught on the men's side and the girls are taught on the women's side by women.
- Saturday school: This class is taught by Sh.Tameem and is for kids. It's usually a 6-8 week course on a specific topic such as basic fiqh, sahabiyat, etc. Meets every Saturday before/after Asr depending on what season it is.
- Hajj course: Taught by Mufti Mudassir, this course rears it head in hajj season. It is taught in Urdu and is beneficial. There is also a Q&A session if I'm not wrong.
- Arabic course: I know that there's an Arabic course taught here by someone (not sure when and by whom)
There are some minor negative issues I have regarding this mosque (as much as I love it):
1) The women's bathroom is ALWAYS out of order.
2) The capacity to attendee ratio is always out numbered, more so in the month of Ramadan. (the reciters and bayaans are THAT good!)
3) The traffic in the masjid is enough to test your patience during the taraweeh prayers during Ramadan. It is a first come first serve thing. I would recommend to go a little before maghrib if you would like a spot. NOTE: On the night of Laylatul Qadr, that traffic that I mentioned before will double. It is best to just sit outside in the cool air under the stars. This does not mean that you can stroll in as the iqamah for maghrib is called. No. You should still go around Asr if you do not want to be performing sajdah on someone else's backside. Yea.
4) Kids will be kids. If you are easily distracted or annoyed, fix yourself and then come. There are a LOT of kids at this masjid and no one ever stays at home with them.
But yeah, other than that, it's cool. read more